City woodlands policy needs public support

Letters to the Editor, London Free Press September 16, 2006

If there was ever a time to call your councillors and remind them that Londoners want positive action in protecting our forests, it is now.

Coming before city council on Monday is a proposed official plan amendment called Woodland Threshold of Significance. The thrust of the proposal is to change the way the city judges the value of its woodlands with the goal of protecting more of them from being cleared for development.

The crux of this proposal is simple: If you believe London (the Forest City) ought to do more to save woodlands, support the proposal. If you don't believe that London ought to do more to protect woodlands, vote against it.

Unbelievably, council's opposition to this proposal is strong, with Tom Gosnell, Roger Caranci and Rob Alder already in the No camp.

The proposed Woodland Threshold of Significance is a powerful policy change that offers environmental protection to many acres of woodlands across London. Call your councillors before Monday, and don't forget the controllers. Remember their actions at election time.

Dean Sheppard

London